Choosing the right care home

Understanding Food and Nutrition in Care Homes

Good nutrition is vital to overall health and wellbeing, particularly in a care home setting where nutritional needs can vary widely for older people. Care homes should cater to a range of dietary requirements, including allergies, preferences, and any cultural or religious food restrictions. High-quality care homes will have well-structured meal plans that ensure all residents receive nutritious meals tailored to their health conditions.

In addition to ensuring the food meets dietary needs, the overall dining experience is also important. Many care homes offer meals in communal dining rooms, providing a social aspect to mealtimes, while others give residents the choice to dine in their private rooms for more personal comfort. Guests can often join residents for special occasions like birthdays or anniversaries, creating a home-like atmosphere.

Consider asking how the care home screens for malnutrition and manages nutrition for residents who may require additional support, such as those with dementia or chronic illnesses.

Finding a Care Home that Supports an Active and Engaging Lifestyle

Maintaining an active and fulfilling lifestyle is key to promoting physical and mental wellbeing in a care home. Residents should be encouraged to stay engaged with their personal hobbies, as well as being introduced to new activities that stimulate cognitive and physical health.

According to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), care homes should offer a range of meaningful activities that cater to individual preferences and abilities, promoting independence wherever possible. Their quality standard for ‘Mental wellbeing of older people in care homes’ states that care homes should offer residents the opportunity to participate in meaningful activity that promotes their health and mental wellbeing.

A balance of structured and spontaneous activities helps create a vibrant atmosphere. Care homes often provide opportunities for residents to take part in gardening, singing, arts and crafts, exercise classes, and social gatherings. Many also offer day trips and outings to local attractions. Daily living tasks, like light housekeeping or preparing simple meals, can also help residents feel a sense of purpose.

When considering a care home, ask about the variety of activities on offer and how frequently they occur. Additionally, check whether family or friends can join in on certain events.

Find Out About The Approach to Care

A personalised approach to care is crucial for ensuring each resident feels valued and receives the attention they need. A good care home will involve both the resident and their family in creating a detailed and individualised care plan. This care plan should consider the resident’s health requirements, personal interests, life history, and cultural or religious beliefs, allowing staff to provide care that feels both appropriate and familiar to the individual.

It’s essential to confirm that the care home has systems in place to regularly review and update these care plans, adjusting as needed for changes in health or preferences. The staff should be proactive in recognising any physical or medical concerns and have close relationships with healthcare professionals to ensure ongoing support.

During your visit, ask how care plans are developed, who is involved in the process, and how frequently they are reviewed. Understanding the home’s approach to recognising and addressing the evolving needs of residents will give you confidence in the quality of care provided.

Look at the Care Home’s CQC Rating

Care homes in the UK are regulated and inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The CQC’s ratings provide an invaluable resource when comparing care homes and deciding which one best meets the needs of your relative or loved one. The CQC awards ratings based on its inspections, which evaluate the overall quality of care provided.

There are four possible ratings that care homes can receive:

• Outstanding: The care home is performing exceptionally well.
• Good: The care home meets the required standards and provides a high quality of care.
• Requires Improvement: The care home meets some of the required standards but needs to improve in certain areas.
• Inadequate: The care home is failing to meet the minimum standards of care and needs urgent improvement.

During inspections, the CQC assesses care homes based on five key questions to determine their rating:

1. Are they safe? – How well does the care home protect residents from harm or abuse?
2. Are they effective? – Does the care home ensure that residents’ needs are met and their health and wellbeing are supported?
3. Are they caring? – Are residents treated with kindness, dignity, and respect?
4. Are they responsive to people’s needs? – How well does the care home adapt to residents’ changing needs and preferences?
5. Are they well-led? – Is the care home managed effectively, ensuring high standards of care and continuous improvement?

These ratings are a helpful indicator of how well a care home performs in critical areas, and you can usually find the latest CQC report on the care home’s website or the CQC’s own website. When choosing a care home, it’s important to review these ratings and understand the reasons behind them to make an informed decision.

Check Customer Reviews

Reading reviews from relatives, friends, and residents who have first-hand experience with a care home can offer valuable insights into what life is really like there. These reviews can range from positive to negative, long to short, and detailed to brief. Some will provide a wealth of useful information, while others may be less specific, but they all contribute to a fuller picture of the care home’s overall reputation.

Care home reviews are typically available in various places:

• Care home marketing materials: Many care homes include testimonials or case studies from families in their brochures or on their website.
• Online review platforms: Websites like carehome.co.uk, Trustpilot, and Google feature detailed reviews from people with direct experience of the home. These platforms allow you to search for specific care homes and see how they’ve been rated by others.

When researching a care home, it’s a good idea to look through multiple sources of reviews to get a balanced view. Pay attention to any recurring themes, both positive and negative, as these often provide the most reliable insight into the home’s strengths and areas for improvement.

Work Out Your Budget and How It Will Be Funded

Understanding the financial aspects of care home services is essential when making your decision. The costs of care can vary widely depending on the type of care needed, the location of the home, and the facilities available. Here are some key points to consider:

• Funding Options: Many families explore various funding options, including personal savings, pensions, and property assets. Some may also be eligible for financial support from local authorities or government schemes.
• Self-Funding vs. Local Authority Funding: If your savings exceed a certain threshold, you may need to self-fund your care. However, if your savings are below this threshold, you may qualify for local authority funding, which can help cover care costs.
• Assessment Process: Local authorities typically conduct assessments to determine an individual’s care needs and eligibility for financial support. It’s advisable to contact your local council to find out more about the assessment process and potential funding available.
• Costs to Expect: On average, residential care can range from £800 to £3,000 per month, depending on the level of care required and the home’s amenities. Make sure to ask potential care homes about their pricing structure and any additional fees.
• Transparency: Always request a detailed breakdown of costs from care homes to ensure there are no hidden fees. Understanding the full financial commitment will help you make an informed choice.

Learn more about the different funding options available for care home services. Visit our page on paying for care to explore your choices.

Finding More Information about Care Homes

To gain a well-rounded view of care homes in your area, it’s helpful to consult several trusted sources. One of the key resources is the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the sector regulator that maintains comprehensive lists of care homes and publishes independent inspection reports. You can use the CQC website to search for care homes, review their ratings, and explore detailed reports from recent inspections.

Age UK is another valuable resource, offering guidance and advice on finding a care home and exploring other care options that may be suitable.

Finding a Dementia Care Home

Additionally, for those seeking specific information on dementia care, the Alzheimer’s Society provides expert advice, real-life stories, and the latest research related to dementia, all of which can support your decision-making process.